Age is Just a Number: Keys to Successfully Leading More Experienced Professionals (M4.4)

Sofia Montes, M.Ed.Senior Associate RegistrarUniversity of Texas Health Science Center – San Antonio

Roadmap Objectives Institution Profile Office Profile Diversity Challenges Practices re: Leadership Opportunities Learning Outcomes Evaluations

Objectives Expand our understandings of diversity Discuss the concept of leadership Think about the concepts as they inform the practice Reconsider the challenges Embrace opportunities Promise transparency Commit to evolve

University of TX Health Science Center – San Antonio

HRIFive SchoolsNo Provost; VP for AFSA insteadDecentralized ModelEight application services~3600 students~800 May graduates

Institution Profile of UTHSCSA

UTHSCSA Office ProfileThree divisionsDiverse staff17 staff including one vacancy, and six with supervisor responsibilitiesTop heavy?Managers' MeetingLeadership MeetingSplit AdmissionsCurriculumNo Scheduling…yet.

DiversityWhat might it look like in the office?

DiversityReligion.…Race….Ethnicity…Experience….Age….Employment History….OrientationFour male staff membersOne homosexual staff memberFive staff members <1 yr.All others >5 yrs.2 >= 29 yrs.Banking, recreational sports, social work, technology (AV), military

ChallengesWhat’s tough about leading veteran staff?

What’s so hard about it? First, what’s “more experienced?” Shoot-out at the OK Corral Perceptions They’ve done their time They’ve been there, done that It won’t work. It doesn’t work that way. Maybe they didn’t get the job.

So do you “put them in their place?"

NO

PracticesSo how do you navigate that territory?

Practicing Leadership Give credit….where credit is due. Acknowledge the commitment. Encourage collaboration.

Buy-In How? Engage your office.* Do your homework. Data. Best practices. Transparency. Mitigations. Plan strategically with collective input.

Successful decision-making BUY-IN Do your homework Make the product look official and professional Keep your alliances in your back pocket. Believe in it! …example

Confidence Buy-In Successes Must be earned; not false If you want others to believe in you….you have to believe in yourself!

OpportunitiesWhat can we do with the environment we work in?

What do we walk away with?A sense of pride in transparencyFewer followers and more leadersGreater confidenceUnityA successful team

Finally, do NOT forget about yourself.

Time Out! …record your successes …record your mistakes and lessons learned …update your resume monthly!

“You can fall in love with the people, but don’t fall in love with the place.”

Learning OutcomesWhat have we learned?

Breaking it Down “They” have a point. You have to put in your share of time and effort, too. At ALL times, strive to be the best leader. Be transparent. Commit to evolve. Make a commitment to yourself.

Resources Maxwell, John C. 5 Levels of Leadership. New York City: Hachette Book Group, 2011.

Maxwell, John C. How Successful People Lead. New York City: Hachette Book Group, 2013.

Questions? Comments? Suggestions?montesS@uthscsa.edu

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